ATTENDANCE at the two heath fires which broke out in Dorset on Monday has now been scaled back.

Two heath blazes broke out at St Leonards and St Ives and in Verwood at around 2pm.

Nearly 150 firefighters were called from Dorset and Hampshire to the two blazes and were tackling them into the evening.

Providing an update, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said the incident at St Leonards and St Ives was under control and attendance was scaled back to five fire engines and a water carrier.

Four fire engines from Hampshire were due to be released from the Verwood incident, with a further review of what resources are needed to follow in the evening.

Area manager Damien Bence said: “Both of these incidents are incredibly resource-intensive and we are grateful to colleagues in Hampshire & Isle of Wight FRS for their support.

“The strong winds are making the firefighting conditions very challenging, but progress is being made with both fires, thanks to the hard work of crews.

“We hope to scale back our attendance at both incidents over the coming hours, but we expect to maintain some form of presence in both locations overnight.”

At this stage, there is no information about the likely cause of either fire, and investigations will continue tomorrow.